Model year record

1997 PLYMOUTH Breeze

4 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 203 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 04V021000

Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: floor shift

Component
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: floor shift
Manufacturer
DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION
Vehicles affected
2,315,768
Reported to NHTSA
2004-01-13
Owners notified
2004-06-14

Defect description

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FLOOR SHIFTER IGNITION-PARK INTERLOCK MAY FAIL AND ALLOW THE SHIFTER TO BE MOVED OUT OF THE PARK POSITION WITH THE KEY REMOVED. AN INOPERATIVE INTERLOCK MAY ALSO ALLOW THE KEY TO BE REMOVED WHEN THE SHIFTER HAS NOT BEEN PLACED IN THE PARK POSITION.

Safety risk

EITHER CIRCUMSTANCE MAY RESULT IN THE VEHICLE ROLLING AWAY WITHOUT WARNING.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW LOAD-LIMITING PUSH ROD INTO THE FLOOR SHIFTER LEVER OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 14, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Recall campaignNHTSA 98V183000

Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch

Component
Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch
Manufacturer
CHRYSLER CORPORATION
Vehicles affected
685,000
Reported to NHTSA
1998-08-06
Owners notified
1998-10-26

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. THE ADJUSTMENT OF THE CABLE CONNECTING THE CONSOLE SHIFTER MECHANISM TO THE IGNITION KEY CAN CAUSE A TRAPPED KEY CONDITION WHICH CAN RESULT IN A LOW FORCE REQUIRED TO DEPRESS THE SHIFT BUTTON. A COMBINATION OF APPLYING A MIS-ADJUSTED RELEASE BUTTON WITH A LOW FORCE ATTEMPT TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK WITH THE KEY IN THE LOCKED POSITION, CAN BREAK THE CONNECTING PIN IN THE SHIFTER.

Safety risk

IF THIS HAPPENS, THE "IGNITION-PARK" INTERLOCK SYSTEM WILL BE NONFUNCTIONAL.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR PROPER OPERATION OF THE SYSTEM. ANY VEHICLES THAT ARE NOT FUNCTIONAL AFTER THE INSPECTION WILL HAVE THE SHIFT MECHANISM AND CABLE REPLACED WITH A "SELF-ADJUSTING" DESIGN.

Recall campaignNHTSA 97V201000

Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint

Component
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint
Manufacturer
CHRYSLER CORPORATION
Vehicles affected
599,000
Reported to NHTSA
1997-11-13
Owners notified
1997-12-15

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT CAN SEPARATE DUE TO LOSS OF LUBRICATION.

Safety risk

SEPARATION OF THE BALL JOINT COULD CAUSE A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BALL JOINT END HOUSING COVER SEAL FOR LEAKAGE WITH A HIGH PRESSURE AIR TESTER AND THE RUBBER BOOT WILL BE VISUALLY INSPECTED FOR DAMAGE. IF THE COVER SEAL LEAKS OR THE BOOT IS DAMAGED, THE LOWER CONTROL ARM WILL BE REPLACED.

Recall campaignNHTSA 97V095000

Structure: body: hood: hinge and attachments

Component
Structure: body: hood: hinge and attachments
Manufacturer
CHRYSLER CORPORATION
Vehicles affected
219,000
Reported to NHTSA
1997-06-06
Owners notified
1997-07-14

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH SPRING CAN DISENGAGE FROM ITS RETENTION HOLE IF THE HOOD IS SLAMMED SHUT.

Safety risk

IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS SIMULTANEOUSLY WITHOUT ENGAGING THE PRIMARY LATCH, THE HOOD WOULD NOT BE RESTRAINED INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH SPRING WITH A LONGER END HOOK SPRING.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Engine and engine cooling: engine5445,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline17
Air bags: frontal9123,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission860,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components818,000 mi
Unknown or other872,920 mi
Engine and engine cooling773,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip6
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly470,000 mi
Suspension: front4
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint482,450 mi
Vehicle speed control4
Electrical system3
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system3
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe392,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings3145,000 mi
Steering: linkages3
Suspension: front: control arm: lower arm3
Electrical system: ignition2
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood298,000 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner273,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump2
Seats: front assembly: head restraint2
Service brakes, hydraulic290,000 mi
Steering2
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar2
Tires2
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core250,000 mi
Child seat: material/padding1
Electrical system: wiring1
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers198,021 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly1
Equipment: electrical1
Equipment: other: labels1
Exterior lighting: tail lights1103,000 mi
Exterior lighting: turn signal: flasher unit1
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: fuel rail1
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly1
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap1120,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch1
Power train: automatic transmission: cooling unit and lines1
Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch1
Power train: axle assembly1165,000 mi
Seat belts: front: anchorage1
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly1
Seat belts: front: webbing1
Seats: front assembly: recliner1
Service brakes158,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor1
Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion)1
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump1
Steering: rack and pinion145,000 mi
Steering: rack and pinion: rack173,000 mi
Structure: body: door1
Suspension156,010 mi
Suspension: front: macpherson strut173,000 mi
Suspension: front: springs: torsion bar1
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system1
Wheels1

The 1996 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 1998 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.